Former Auckland executive who paid teen $1000 for sex, sentenced to 10 months home detention

A former Auckland executive has been denied permanent name suppression, but still cannot be named after being convicted of receiving “commercial sexual services” from a person aged under 18.

The executive admitted to the charge in November 2025.

He was sentenced in the Auckland District court on Monday to 10-month home detention and ordered to pay $3,000 in emotional harm reparations, however, an appeal from his lawyer means he still can’t be named.

The man’s lawyer, Graeme Newell sought a discharge without conviction, saying his client believed the girl involved to be 17-years-old.

In reality, she was 14.

He cited the hardship he would have in finding work, as well as the impact it would have on his family.

Newell said the consequences of his actions had already been significant and that a conviction would make them extended and amplified.

He said the man was deeply ashamed of what he had done.

Details of the relationship between the two were outlined by Judge Kathryn Maxwell in the Auckland District Court on Monday

The executive met the girl over Snapchat in September of 2025. They began messaging, with the man asking how old she was.

She had told him she was 17-years-old, when she was only 14.

He reported himself as a sugar daddy, according to the summary of the offending.

The victim asked for UberEats, which the executive provided in exchange for intimate photos and videos of the girl, Judge Maxwell said.

The executive has since left his job. (File photo)
Photo: RNZ/Yiting Lin

Over the course of three weeks, she sent 12 photos and 19 videos of a sexual nature, including a short video of her in her school uniform.

He paid $1000 to the teen to come to his house, where the two engaged in unspecified sexual activity in his bedroom, Judge Maxwell said.

The man told the girl he couldn’t pay her for sex, and instructed her to say she wanted to have sex and he had just given her the money.

Judge Maxwell said the victim felt disgusted by her interaction with the man.

She said he had effectively enticed her to prostitute herself, and coached her to avoid the application of the law.

“I do not accept the offending was less serious because the victim consented,” she said.

Under the Prostitution Reform Act, no one under the age of 18 may be contracted for commercial sexual services. The legal age of consent is 16.

Maxwell said the victim was underage for what he intended, and he knew it.

Police prosecution pointed to the legislation, saying it was meant to protect young people. An emotional harm reparation payment of $3000 had been offered, but the police prosecutor said the victim’s family did not place much weight on the payment.

Newell had also sought permanent name suppression for his client, which was argued against by Daniel Nilsson, representing the media.

Nilsson said there was compelling and legitimate public interest in the case, describing the offending as deliberate and serious.

Speaking about the impact on the man’s family, Nilsson said they were in a sense victims also, but they were in the same situation as other families.

He said it was a sad situation brought about by the man’s own actions.

Judge Maxwell refused the executive’s application for a discharge without conviction, as well as his permanent name suppression.

A law change last year meant the victim had to agree to the man’s identity remaining suppressed, which Judge Maxwell said she did not.

She gave discounts for his guilty plea, remorse, and reported good character.

He was convicted , and sentenced to 10-months of home detention. Judge Maxwell also ordered he pay the $3,000 reparations.

However, after an indication from Newell that they would launch an appeal on both decisions, Judge Maxwell granted interim suppression for the executive.

Outside the court, Newell declined commenting to media, while the man stayed silent as he walked away from the courthouse.

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